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Books > Social sciences > Psychology > Philosophy & theory of psychology > General
The construct quality of life (QoL), since the 1980s, when it
was introduced, is being used mainly in the context of health
problems. Areas of one s life that contribute to QoL are good
physical and mental health, efficient cognitive functioning, social
support, being able to meet the requirements of professional life,
positive emotions, etc (Power, 2003). Work on subjective well-being
(SWB), on the other hand, was developed in the context of healthy
everyday life; it also has a history of more than 30 years. During
this 30-year period factors that have an impact on SWB, such as
SES, gender, health, age, and religiosity have been identified
(Diener, 2000). A third independent line of research pertains to
what has been called Positive Psychology (Seligman &
Csikszentmihalyi, 2000), that is, an emphasis on human strengths,
such as optimism, hope, wisdom, positive emotions, resilience,
etc., which contribute to positive functioning in life.
Recently, SWB has been associated to human strengths and to the
movement of positive psychology but this did not happen for QoL,
possibly because of its emphasis on people with health problems.
However, QoL can be conceived of as a generic term that pertains to
all people, healthy or not. In this sense, it is closely related to
SWB defined as happiness (Diener, 2000). Also, QoL encompasses
positive emotions that go beyond happiness and has the advantage
that it can be applied to many different domains of life such as
interpersonal relations, health-related situations, and
professional and educational strivings. Moreover, the mechanism(s)
that underpin QoL and SWB can be studied in relation to people s
goals and strengths of character, that is, from a positive
psychological perspective. Such a perspective can reveal the
specificities of quality in the various domains of life and,
specifically, the positive emotions and strengths that contribute
to a happier, healthier, and more successful life, even in face of
adversity.
Therefore, despite the differences among the three theoretical
traditions, namely QoL, SWB, and positive psychology, it is
possible to find the common ground they share and each of them can
benefit from notions developed in the others. The aim of the
present book is to bring together these three traditions, show the
interactions of variables emphasized by them, and give an
integrative perspective from the positive psychology point of view.
It also aims to extend the range of life situations in which one
can look for quality and which go beyond the traditional emphasis
of QoL on health problems. Thus, the content of the proposed book
covers different age populations (from children to older adults),
healthy and people facing health problems as well as people facing
problems in their interpersonal lives or in their pursuits. It also
discusses factors that contribute to marital satisfaction, well
being in the school context, and things that people value and
cherish. The chapters refer to notions such as happiness, interest,
resilience, wisdom, hope, altruism, optimism, and
spirituality/religiosity that represent unique human strengths.
Finally, it emphasizes the role of goals and motivation that
connect SWB with self-regulation and managing of one s life
priorities.
To conclude, the chapters included in the proposed edited book
aim at bringing to the fore new theoretical developments and
research on QoL, SWB, and positive psychology that bridges
previously distinct theoretical traditions. The proposed book
covers a broad range of topics, addresses different theoretical
interests and paves the way for a more integrative approach.
Finally, it brings together an international set of authors, from
USA, Europe, Australia, and Asia. "
This book takes a novel approach to the study of male eating
disorders - an area that is often dominated by clinical discourses.
The study of eating disorders in men has purportedly suffered from
a lack of dedicated attention to personal and socio-cultural
aspects. Delderfield tackles this deficiency by spotlighting a set
of personal accounts written by a group of men who have experiences
of disordered eating. The text presents critical interpretations
that aim to situate these experiences in the social and cultural
context in which these disorders occur. This discursive work is
underpinned by an eclectic scholarly engagement with social
psychology and sociology literature around masculinities,
embodiment and fatness, belonging, punishment, stigma, and control;
leading to understandings about relationships with food, body and
self. This is undertaken with a reflexive element, as the personal
intersects with the professional. This text will appeal to
students, scholars and clinicians in social sciences, humanities,
and healthcare studies, including public health.
Beneath the surface we are all connected . . . 'An authentically
soothing, powerful, thought-provoker.' MATT HAIG 'On Connection is
medicine for these wounded times.' MAX PORTER 'On Connection came
to me when I needed it most, and reminded me that the links we have
to places, people, words, ourselves, are what keep us alive.'
CANDICE CARTY-WILLIAMS This is a book about connection. About how
immersing ourselves in creativity can help us cultivate greater
self-awareness and bring us closer to each other. Drawing on two
decades of experience as a writer and performer, Kae Tempest
champions the role of creativity - in whatever form we choose to
practice it - as an act of love, helping us establish a deeper
relationship to our true selves, and to others and the world we
live in. Honest, hopeful and written with piercing clarity, On
Connection is an inspiring personal meditation that will transform
the way you see the world. 'Persuasive and profound.' OBSERVER
'Tempest's prose is crisp and thoughtful.' NEW STATESMAN
This book discusses what Jacques Lacan's oeuvre contributes to our
understanding of psychosis. Presenting a close reading of original
texts, Stijn Vanheule proposes that Lacan's work on psychosis can
best be framed in terms of four broad periods.
This handbook presents the most comprehensive account of eudaimonic
well-being to date. It brings together theoretical insights and
empirical updates presented by leading scholars and young
researchers. The handbook examines philosophical and historical
approaches to the study of happy lives and good societies, and it
critically looks at conceptual controversies related to eudaimonia
and well-being. It identifies the elements of happiness in a
variety of areas such as emotions, health, wisdom,
self-determination, internal motivation, personal growth, genetics,
work, leisure, heroism, and many more. It then places eudaimonic
well-being in the larger context of society, addressing social
elements. The most remarkable outcome of the book is arguably its
large-scale relevance, reminding us that the more we know about the
good way of living, the more we are in a position to build a
society that can be supportive and offer opportunities for such a
way of living for all of its citizens.
This volume examines the developmental aspects of the general
psychological construct of self-determination. The term refers to
self- (vs. other-) caused action-to people acting volitionally-as
based on their own will. Research conducted in the fields of
psychology and education shows the importance of self-determination
to adolescent development and positive adult outcomes. The first
part of this volume presents an overview of theories and historical
antecedents of the construct. It looks at the role of
self-determination in major theories of human agentic behavior and
of adolescent development and individuation. The second part of the
volume examines the developmental origins and the trajectory of
self-determination in childhood, adolescence, and adulthood, and
looks as aging aspects. The next part presents studies on the
evolutionary aspects, individual differences and healthy
psychological development. The last part of the book covers the
development of causal and agentic capability.
* The attention on the 'ill person' as an actor of their own
development. * The comprehensive attention on all aspects of the
person's journey, including not only issues that impact on everyday
functioning, such as pain and fatigue but also the focus on
relationships with significant others. * The integration of lived
experience with psychological theories.
This practical evidence-based guide to running Reflective Practice
professional development programmes provides a dynamic and engaging
resource for a wide range of coaches. Reflective Practice is a
proven learning and development approach that involves consciously
and deliberately thinking about experiences to develop insights and
apply these within coaching practice. McCormick argues that it is
vital that coaches regularly reflect on their work to develop and
grow professionally, and this book provides a definitive and rich
source of material on how and what to reflect on. Topics include
how to reflect as an individual coach; working in pairs and small
groups; applying reflective practice in a training context; and how
to run advanced group sessions for coaches. The book features a
wide range of practical workbook exercises to challenge the
reader's current practice and extend their capability, as well as
an evidence-based guide to enhancing skills in recently developed
areas such as Unified Protocol Cognitive Behavioural Therapy,
Internet Supplemented Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Using
Schema Therapy with Mindfulness Techniques. Written by a highly
experienced executive coach, this book is full of practical and
effective ways to become more capable and proficient. It is
essential reading for any career, life or executive coach who
wishes to enhance their coaching capability through reflective
practice, as well as for coaching training organisations, senior
executive coaches offering sessions for other coaches, and academic
institutions offering coaching qualifications.
This book presents an integrated review and critical analysis of
the recent research in the positive psychology of religion, with
focus on the positive psychology of religion across different
cultures and religions. The book provides a review of the
literature on different contributions of religion and spirituality
to positive functioning and well-being and reviews religions across
the world, including the five major religions of Christianity,
Islam, Buddhism, Judaism and Hinduism. In addition, the book
reviews commonalities and differences in the ways in which
different religions contribute to positive functioning, as well as
differences in which different religions manifest their positive
contributions in minority groups across the world.
It fills a unique place in the market s increasing interest and
demand in the psychology of religion, as well as positive
psychology. While the target audience is researchers, scholars and
students in psychology, cross-cultural studies, religious studies
and social sciences, it will be useful for anyone interested in
better understanding the contributions of religion and culture in
subjective well-being. "
organizing committee: Paul Werbos, Chairman, National Science
Foundation Harold Szu, Naval Surface Warfare Center Bernard Widrow,
Stanford University Centered around 20 major topic areas of both
theoretical and practical importance, the World Congress on Neural
Networks provides its registrants -- from a diverse background
encompassing industry, academia, and government -- with the latest
research and applications in the neural network field.
Of all the wide-ranging interests Coleridge showed in his career, religion was the deepest and most long-lasting; and Beer demonstrates in this book that none of his work can be fully understood without taking this into account. Beer reveals how Coleridge was preoccupied by the life of the mind, and how closely this subject was intertwined with religion in his thinking. The insights that emerge in this collection are of absorbing interest, showing the efforts of a pioneer to reconcile traditional wisdom, both inside and outside orthodox Christianity, with the questions that were becoming evident to a sensitive enquirer.
Examines and interrogates the concept of the 'uncanny', and the
cultural contexts which allow such experiences of disorientation
and alienation.This book includes translation of Ernst Jensch's
seminal essay, On the Psychology of the Uncanny (1906) - first time
this has been available in English. A timely collection - the term
'uncanny' has become confused in critical theory, and this book
helps clarify what it means in contemporary culture. It has a broad
appeal and illustrates the range and influence of the 'uncanny' in
current research in the humanities and beyond (contributors work in
a range of fields, from film studies, literary theory, to history
and cultural studies).It includes well-known contributors such as
Julian Wolfreys, David Punter and Roger Luckhurst.This book
explores the sense in which the uncanny may be a distinctively
modern experience, the way these unnerving feelings and unsettling
encounters disturb the rational presumptions of the modern world
view and the security of modern self-identity, just as the latter
may themselves be implicated in the production of these experiences
as uncanny.
This book assesses the life and success of the writer Paulo Coelho,
one of the most fascinating and contemporary writers in the world,
through new lenses. It applies a positive psychology perspective
and contributes to using innovative theories in psychobiographical
studies. This study explores the development of holistic wellness
(HWM) and faith development (FDT) throughout the writer's life. It
presents radical changes in spirituality, self-direction, love and
faith across the life span. Further, it analyses the development of
Coelho's relationship with God and the creation of meaningfulness
through his belief and writing. This study contributes to a new era
of psychobiographical works within the positive psychology
framework.
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